Kicked Out in The Bronx

It’s not my fault, how could I know

That wanting to be just me was not the way to go?

Just can’t believe that’s why they kicked me out

Too many rules and regulations in this house!

Sixteen years and still they can’t accept who I really am

School wasn’t easy, either – too many bullies in the ‘hood

Choosing to pass on recess time to finish my essay

Was too much for the others, they called me names

Said I wasn’t normal coz who wants to stay in class and write

When they could be out there playing ball or having a fight?

Man, it’s getting more than I can take!

No place warm to sleep and I don’t wanna stay awake.

Kicked out with no place I can go

I thought that I could hack it tho’

But man, it ain’t easy being different in this place

Ain’t easy always being told that I’m a damned disgrace.

The neighbours think I’m still at home

They don’t know I got kicked out

And now I’m all alone

When they find out, I’d like to see their faces

Kicked out for wanting to be just who I am

Do they see my bruises; do they even give a damn?

Grow up, drop out, come out - kicked out!

Natural progression for a kid like me

But I thought Mom at least would see

Dad’s a different story – grow up, be a man

He’d say. Don’t stand like that, don’t walk that way

Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talkin’ ‘bout

But they don’t know the way I feel inside

Can’t help these thoughts they say I need to hide

How can a kid pretend it’s cool to be this way?

How can a black kid say he’s white or admit to being gay?